Cole Valley

 

 

Cole Valley is a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood centrally located in the heart of San Francisco. This cozy neighborhood is tucked between the Haight and Twin Peaks within minutes of Golden Gate Park. Cole Valley is San Francisco’s smallest neighborhood and has a wonderful homey feel with locally-owned shops and restaurants. The neighborhood originally grew around a streetcar stop, and its architecture includes many classic Victorian and Edwardian homes. Excellent transportation links to other SF areas are still a big part of Cole Valley’s appeal. In particular, Cole Valley residents enjoy easy access to Buena Vista, Sunset, and Haight Street. Housing options within this inviting neighborhood are a mix of single-family homes and condominiums. Cole Valley’s combination of a small-town feel, classic rowhouses, and a central location mean demand for housing here always outstrips its limited supply.

 

• Self-enclosed, small-town vibe
• Classic SF rowhouses
• Locally-run businesses
• Parks and community events
  
  

Cole Valley is a cozy community with a small-town feel tucked inside the heart of the city. Everything you need for daily life can be found within a few blocks of every Cole Valley home. The friendly atmosphere is a big part of Cole Valley’s appeal. This is the kind of place where residents stop to greet each other on the street. Cole Valley is close to major San Francisco attractions such as Golden Gate Park but feels like an idyllic little world all its own.

 

Cole Valley’s main commercial strip runs for three blocks along Cole Street with a wonderful mix of mom ‘n’ pop stores and neighborhood restaurants. Spend an afternoon on Café Reverie’s enchanting garden patio while enjoying excellent coffee and delicious meals prepared using fresh local ingredients. Café Reverie’s monthly Flight Night is a chance to sample exquisite wines while enjoying live jazz performances. The Ice Cream Bar is a classic Cole Valley spot with a vintage 1930s soda fountain and organic ice creams made on site.

 

Zazie is one of the city’s best options for a classic San Francisco brunch. The heated patio at this neighborhood favorite is also a great place to enjoy dinner any night of the week. Weekly specials include $10 off any wine bottle for bringing your dog on Mondays and free corkage on Tuesdays. Padrecito has a strong claim to be the best place in SF to dine on authentic Mexican cuisine. Padrecito pairs its flavorful meals with an outstanding cocktail selection. For authentic Italian fare, head to cozy InoVino. This intimate restaurant and wine bar also has a great wine selection exclusively consisting of Italian imports. Say Cheese offers great wines for enjoyment at home along with a gourmet selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and freshly made sandwiches.

 

Tank Hill is considered by Cole Valley residents to be one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets. Tank Hill Park provides captivating sweeping views over the city from an elevation of 650 feet. From this vantage point, you can look over Downtown SF and the Golden Gate Bridge with views stretching over the San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island, Oakland, and Berkley. Tank Hill’s natural scenery is just as impressive as the views. Spring wildflowers color the hill yellow in March, purple in April, and pink in May. Local dog owners love Cole Valley Dog Park, a great neighborhood spot for pets and their owners at which to gather.

 

Cole Valley’s annual community events also provide a great way to get to know your neighbors. Cole Valley Fair in September features food vendors, arts-and-crafts stalls, live music performances, and a children’s play area with a bouncy house and face painting. For Halloween, Belvedere Street is blocked off for a Halloween Street Party, where local kids show off their costumes. At the end of Golden Gate Park closest to Cole Valley, Kezar Stadium hosts a variety of athletic and sporting events in the former home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

 

Public schools within Cole Valley are operated by the San Francisco Unified School District. Highlights include:

 

• Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila, Public, K-5
• Grattan Elementary School, Public, K-5
• New Traditions Elementary School, Public, K-5
• John Muir Elementary School, Public, K-5
• Ida B. Wells High School, Public, 9-12